First, let me say that I love The Who Would Win Series. It is a challenging reader that excites us with its beautiful graphics, battles, and extended learning opportunities. This class takes the book to another level of learning by pausing to look at the vocabulary and understand the content on a deeper level. Many excited readers love these books but quickly read over the vocabulary, tips, and facts to get to the end of the battle. We read the battle but rewind to look at the advantages and disadvantages. How did the words on each of the pages help the winner?

Each week, students will be given vocabulary challenges to dig more into the words. What is/are the origin, pronunciation, definition, prefixes, suffixes, context, synonyms, and antonyms. 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each animal/species? Where else might we encounter similar words? Students will make predictions based on advantages and disadvantages of the battling animals to pick the winner. 

Students will look for clues in the graphics and explore those "bubbles" of text. Then they will digest the battle and discuss the outcome. Was it a good ending? Why? How would you change it? What vocabulary could we add to the battle?

Students that read non-fiction books tend to strengthen their background knowledge and experience. This knowledge is extremely helpful in informational writing, vocabulary development and understanding.  Students will organize the words on those pages into graphic organizers such as venn diagrams, tri-folds, or lists. We may use story maps and mountains, timelines, and KWL Chart. KWL (What I Know, What I What to Know, What I Learned) charts.

Optional: There will be extended learning using embedded YouTube videos that students can watch to see the animals in their habitats.

I will post worksheets and videos in the classroom on Wednesday by 9 am EST, and you will have a week to watch, respond to classroom topics, and ask questions. I will be available throughout the week to prompt questions and answer any questions. I will also post a question about our book that will kick start our weeks. Discussion questions, videos with slide presentations or discussions, and worksheets will be posted on Wednesdays, Fridays and Mondays. Students can save all the materials and videos to complete once a week or at their own pace. I have prepared the class to give time between the activities for reflection and comprehension.

Each week (Uploaded on Wednesdays at 9 am EST):
A. I will post the Question - Who Would Win? 
B. I will post a video, instructions, and agenda for the week. 
C. I will upload a vocabulary sheet for the week and a graphic organizer.

Each week (Uploaded on Friday at 9 am EST):
A. I will post the Question - Who has the Advantage?
B. I will post a video with how to find advantages and disadvantages.
C. I will upload an advantage/disadvantage worksheet.

Each week (Uploaded on Monday at 9 am EST):
A. I will post the Question - Do you want to Change Your Winner?
B. I will post a video discussing the battle and the outcome.
C. I will upload a revised battle idea worksheet. 

Requested areas of learning with specific topics are always welcomed. If a student needs to work on a particular area of grammar, parts of speech, or spelling then we can include that in. I love getting specific requests from parents because it benefits the entire class. 

Optional: Students can upload or record themselves reading the battle. 

I will upload a snack idea, art idea, and/or craft idea each week for expanded learning opportunities.

I use a “show-n-tell” and/or "snack-n-tell" each week for students to upload a video, picture, or discuss in the classroom an item and/or snack. They can tell the class about their item and why they picked it. Objects/Food are great icebreakers and easier to talk about in a group setting. I will participate in this as well to bring rapport with the students.

This series uses the Ultimate Showdown book which contains 5 books. 

Week 1: Polar Bear vs Grizzly Bear

Week 2: Lion vs Tiger

Week 3: Hornet vs Wasp

Week 4: Hammerhead vs Bull Shark

Week 5: Triceratops vs Spinosaurus

Who Would Win Series may repeat books/battles due to theme. If a student repeats a particular book in one of my series, then we will dig deeper in that book on their second battle.